White House Hotel

This mansion-like, landmark hotel that’s surrounded by towering oaks dates back to the 1890s when it was originally a boarding house. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the quiet boutique property exudes an understated elegance. It has an upscale feel, as arriving guests are greeted by a row of stately white columns supporting the front porch. A tasteful mix of old and new touches decorate the beautiful lobby, including antique wooden floorboards in front of a fireplace framed by stamped copper. Vintage photos provide glimpses of the property’s long history. Children are welcome, but it hosts mostly adults – especially couples and small groups who might visit the nearby casinos but prefer not to stay in their bustling hotels. 

The White House Hotel is set a bit back from Beach Blvd. on the Gulf of Mexico, just across the street from a beach. Guests will need a car, since there are no restaurants are within a reasonable walk from the hotel. The huge Hard Rock and Beau Rivage casinos are about a five-minute drive away. The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center is an 11-minute drive along Beach Blvd., and Keesler Air Force Base is less than 10 minutes away. Gulfport is about 20 minutes by car and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is a 24-minute drive. Driving times to Mobile (east) and New Orleans (west) are 57 minutes and 90 minutes, respectively, on Interstate 10, which is only a few minutes away from the hotel.

Despite being in an historic hotel that’s more than a century old, guest rooms are bright and modern. White walls and bedding nicely contrast with dark-brown wood furniture and laminate floors. Vintage black-and-white photos of the hotel add polish, and splashes of color come from contemporary leather furniture in bright yellow and turquoise, as well as padded headboards in several shades of green, blue, and tan. Wood-framed, multiple-pane windows are large and let in plenty of cheerful light.

The historic property offers units of different sizes, yet all of the standard rooms we saw (King, Queen, and Double Queen) were comfortably sized. They included desks with office chairs, though some of them did not have dressers. All come with Keurig coffeemakers, safes, robes, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and free bottled water and Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are the most upscale aspect -- they include wide, white marble vanities with raised basin sinks, and spacious walk-in showers with glass doors and handsome gray polished tile. Some of the Suites also have separate soaking tubs, as well as mini-fridges and microwaves – something standard rooms don’t include. Units are generally quiet, with views ranging from the neighboring residential houses to partial and full water views.

One of the top features at White House Hotel is its lovely outdoor pool with gulf views. The pool isn't heated, but it’s quite spacious and offers bar service on summer weekends. It also has an adjacent hot tub and lots of comfy seating surrounding it on an expansive patio. The fitness center is open 24/7, but it’s sparsely equipped with only two pieces of cardio equipment and free weights. A free continental breakfast is served daily in the lobby, and coffee is free all day. Popular with locals and guests alike, Cora’s Restaurant & Bar, which has a pretty outdoor terrace, serves lunch and dinner daily except Mondays, featuring fresh seafood and other Gulf Coast cuisine, along with steaks. Wines by the glass and a good selection of beers are on tap, and there are happy hour specials. Smaller weddings are popular here in the hotel’s event space that also includes outdoor areas with beach views. Other amenities include a guest computer and printer in the lobby, valet dry cleaning and laundry, concierge and room service, and free on-site parking at Wi-Fi throughout.